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I love coming across new, creative ideas for spreading the gift of happiness. In the past week, I learned of two more people doing fun and simple things to make strangers happy that I wanted to share with you.

One person is an artist named Bren Bataclan, who was a speaker at TEDx Natick. He got his start in 2003 when he started leaving his paintings around the Boston area with a note saying, "This painting is yours if you promise to smile at random people more often."

Fast forward to 2017, and so far Bren has left over 2000 paintings in all 50 states and over 60 countries, with plans to eventually hit the entire globe and even outer space! He also left several around the building where the TEDx event was held -- one of which is now in my house. :)

The other person on my mind is my dad, who sent me a short email last weekend to tell me about something new he's been trying out while walking at the mall. In his words:

Today I pioneered a new giving format, for mallwalkers! I had a balloon in my pocket, and blew it up, and was holding it. Along came a little girl, maybe 3, being pushed in a stroller by her mother. The little girl's eyes went right to the balloon, and I approached the mother. "Do you suppose your little girl would like this?" and gave it to the mother. The little girl lit up like Christmas morning! So I laid in a supply of balloons, with the idea that I might blow up one and hold onto it, in wait for some unsuspecting mother and child!

And an update, a day later:

Today I gave away balloons 2 and 3 to little kids at the mall. There were 2 young mothers, each with a little girl. I and a walking buddy approached with a balloon each, and one of the little girls (the bigger one, maybe 3), saw them coming, and started walking toward us! We gave them to the mothers, and they were OBVIOUSLY thrilled. Later, we saw the same people in the mall, and both kids still had their balloons! So much delight! So little investment!

Thank you so much to ALL of you, for all the things you to bring joy into the world. My life is better because of you.

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This is a place for you to share your individual journey toward more joy & connection, and learn from others. I answer questions, offer semi-regular "happiness challenges", and post a weekly blog entry and occasional videos.

This Facebook group is for leaders and entrepreneurs committed to great relationships with customers, colleagues, and donors. We talk about practical, creative, personalized ways to incorporate Gift of Happiness principles into sales, marketing, and human resources.